This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9B project to build the Barclays Center arena and 15-16 towers at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park Brooklyn in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake going forward. As of 2018, after the arena and four towers were built, Greenland owns 95% of future construction.

How about that: the first Community Benefits Agreement, the purported model for Brooklyn, contained a residential permit parking program

The pioneering Staples Center Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) has long been portrayed as an inspiration for the Atlantic Yards CBA, as shown in the article at right from the short-lived 2005 Brooklyn Standard promotional "publication."

However, the CBA in Brooklyn was signed only by allies of the project, as opposed to a broader coalition in Los Angeles, as has long been pointed out.

Where's parking?

And, as I wrote in June 2011, the Staples CBA concerned several issues ignored in the Brooklyn document, including a residential permit parking program.

Given the concern about the latter in evaluating the Atlantic Yards Transportation Demand Management plan, its worth a look at what was promised to Los Angelenos: developer support for the enactment of RPP, and funding--up to $25,000 a year for five years--to defray the costs.

The CBA also touched on issues of traffic and security, though not in such detail. But it's still notable that "community protection" was not considered antagonistic to "community benefits." In Brooklyn, those certain can seem in tension.

From the Staples Center CBA

IV. COMMUNITY PROTECTION
A. PARKING PROGRAM. The Developer shall assist the Coalition with the establishment of a residential permit parking program as set forth below.

1. Permit Area. The area initially designated as part of the Parking Program is generally bounded by James Wood Drive on the north, Byram and Georgia Streets on the west, Olympic Boulevard on the south and Francisco on the east. The permit area may be adjusted from time to time by mutual agreement of the Developer and the Coalition or upon action by the City determining the actual boundaries of a residential parking district in the vicinity of the Project.

2. Developer Support. The Developer shall support the Coalition’s efforts to establish the parking program in the permit area by requesting the City to establish a residential permit parking district through a letter to City Council members and City staff, testimony before the City Council or appropriate Boards of Commissioners, and through technical assistance which reasonably may be provided by Developer’s consultants.
To defray the parking program’s costs to residents of the permit area, the Developer shall provide funding of up to $25,000 per year for five years toward the cost of developing and implementing the parking program within the permit area. Such funding shall be provided to the City.

3. Limitations. The Coalition understands, acknowledges and hereby agrees that the City’s determination of whether to establish a residential permit parking district and the boundaries thereof are within the City’s sole discretion. The Developer is not liable for any action or inaction on the part of the City as to establishment of a residential permit parking district or for the boundaries thereof. The Coalition understands, acknowledges and hereby agrees that the total annual aggregate cost of a residential permit parking district may exceed $25,000 per year and that in such event, the Developer shall have no liability for any amounts in excess of $25,000 per year for five years.

B. TRAFFIC. The Developer in consultation with the Coalition shall establish a traffic liaison to assist the Figueroa Corridor community with traffic issues related to the Project.

C. SECURITY. The Developer shall encourage the South Park Western Gateway Business Improvement District to address issues of trash disposal and community safety in the residential areas surrounding the Project. The Developer shall request the BID to provide additional trash receptacles in the vicinity of the Project, including receptacles located in nearby residential areas.